Earlier this year, Constellation Brands reported its results for the 12 months to the end of February. Sales in fiscal-2019 came in 7% up on the corresponding period a year earlier, when the group's topline also increased by the same percentage. Here, just-drinks considers Constellation's performance over the last five years.

In keeping with the wider wine strategy to pursue value at the expense of volume, Constellation Brands' divestment of around 30 lower-end brands this week comes as little surprise. Nor does the identity of the buyer, according to one analyst, with E&J Gallo "uniquely positioned" to take on Constellation's unwanteds.

At international trade exhibition ProWein last month, just-drinks spoke to Australia's Casella Family Wines. The independent company is an interesting proposition as it ably competes - like many family-owned wineries - in global fine wine, but at the same time packs in its portfolio the sub-US$5 blockbuster Yellow Tail, a brand that astonishingly accounts for the majority of Australian wine sold in the US.

As the year draws to a close, just-drinks takes a look back at the stories that have made the headlines across the global drinks industry over the last 12 months. Here, managing editor Olly Wehring picks out the highs and lows for the wine category.

Monday this week was Memorial Day in the US, a federal holiday in honour of those killed while serving in the country's armed forces. Thanks to a recent product launch from Diageo, consumers were also encouraged to raise a patriotic glass of vodka in their memory. But, can American Anthem make vodka great again? Richard Woodard is sceptical.

Earlier this month, Paul Sorrentino, E&J Gallo Winery's general manager for Europe, the Middle East & Africa, came to London for the UK launch of a range of higher-end wine expressions from the group. While in town, he spoke to just-drinks about the new wines, as well as looking at how Gallo finds out what consumers want as well as the future for the Dark Horse brand.

As the year draws to a close, just-drinks takes a look back at the stories that have made the headlines across the global drinks industry over the last 12 months. In this, the third in our four-part category review, Ben Cooper considers how 2017 has treated the wine sector.

Among the talk at the on-premise Tales of the Cocktail conference in the UK this April, the consensus appeared to be that vermouth is once again gaining momentum. Indeed, the segment has been tipped by many industry observers as one to watch in the coming years.